TRS MPs oppose ordinance on Polavaram project

A delegation of TRS MPs on Thursday met President Pranab Mukherjee to oppose the ordinance to transfer some villages in Khammam district to Andhra Pradesh for executing Polavaram multi-purpose project.

New Delhi: A delegation of TRS MPs on Thursday met President Pranab Mukherjee to oppose the ordinance to transfer some villages in Khammam district to Andhra Pradesh for executing Polavaram multi-purpose project.

"The number of villages that would be transferred to the residual Andhra Pradesh is over 200, affecting about 2.4 lakh tribal population living in these areas," senior TRS leader and Rajya Sabha member K Keshav Rao said after meeting Mukherjee here.

Claiming that they were not opposed to the project, Rao sought to clarify that their prime concerns were on how to save the tribals from adverse effects.

Rao also alleged that the number of villages accounted for transfer was 130 as per the decision of the Group of Ministers in the previous government, but it has increased to 200.

The TRS leader underlined that the seven mandals, which would be moved to Andhra Pradesh were part of the erstwhile Hyderabad regime.

The Centre today promulgated an ordinance merging some villages and mandals of Telangana into Seemandhra in a bid to deal with resettlement and rehabilitation of those displaced by Polavaram power project.

The ordinance, cleared by the Union Cabinet on Tuesday, aims at facilitating smooth resettlement and rehabilitation on part of Polavaram multi-purpose project.
The amendment will enable land for land in the same revenue division where people will be displaced.

Naidu said the Centre was "committed" to implement Polavaram project.

"BJP and NDA are committed towards completion of Polavaram project. This is a commitment given by the earlier government, it is the commitment given by us. We are committed for completion of the project," Naidu told reporters.

"Problems, if any, at this region or that region, genuine problems arise. We are ready to walk an extra mile and address those problems also," he said.

Without naming any political party, Naidu said it was unfair to raise objections for whatever reason it may be.

"Majority of political parties including parties which are protesting have rejoiced the passage of the bill. I do not think that it is fair on the part of anybody to raise any objection now for whatever reason it is," he said.

He appealed to people in both the regions not to be carried away by any propaganda.